Liz Wahl: ‘Russia Today’ Anchor Quits During Live Broadcast — Watch

American anchor Liz Wahl shocked viewers on March 5, when she announced that she was resigning from the RT-America channel, because it is funded by the Russian government.

Liz Wahl is no longer an anchor for RT-America. Following her 5 PM broadcast, she decided to leave the network because she faced “ethical and moral challenges,” and could no longer work for a company that was fully supported by President Vladimir Putin.

Liz Wahl Quits RT-America

During her broadcast, the Washington, D.C. based newscaster, announced that because of her personal feelings and her background, she could no longer work for a company that “whitewashes the actions of Putin.” Below is what she said on-air:

As a reporter on this network I face many ethical and moral challenges especially me personally coming from a family whose grandparents came here as refugees during the Hungarian revolution, ironically to escape the Soviet forces. I’m very lucky to have grown up here in the United States. I’m the daughter of a veteran. My partner is a physician at a military base where he sees every day the first-hand accounts of the ultimate prices that people pay for this country. And that is why personally I cannot be part of a network that whitewashes the actions of Putin. I am proud to be an American and believe in disseminating the truth and that is why after this newscast I’m resigning.

This was extremely shocking to see on live TV, but not everyone was surprised. Liz’s friends and colleagues had known for a while, as she’s been strongly considering her departure for sometime, she told DailyBeast.com.

“When I came on board from the beginning I knew what I was getting into, but I think I was more cautious and tried to stay as objective as I could,” she told the site. “I think management is able to manipulate the very young and naïve employees. They will find ways to punish you covertly and reward those that do go along with their narrative. It’s interesting that our motto is ‘Question More.’ In order to succeed there you don’t question… In a way you kind of suppress any concerns that you have and play the game.”

RT Network Responds To Liz’s Newscast

The network released a statement later in the day, stating:

When a journalist disagrees with the editorial position of his or her organization, the usual course of action is to address those grievances with the editor, and, if they cannot be resolved, to quit like a professional. But when someone makes a big public show of a personal decision, it is nothing more than a self-promotional stunt. We wish Liz the best of luck on her chosen path.

After the broadcast, Liz went to CNN’s Anderson Cooper, where she said the network is “not about the truth,” but rather about “promoting a Putinist agenda” and “bashing America.”

What do you think, HollywoodLifers? Was it inappropriate for Liz to go off on air? Or do you think she has every right?